Friction-clutch.



No. 877,405. PATENTED JAN. 21, 1908.

J. OAILLET.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1907.

FIGL

no: NORRIS psrzks'cv WASH-INGTON. n c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULES GAILLET, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SOGIETE ANONYME DESAUTOMOBILES PEUGEOT, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

FRICTION-CLUTCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULEs OAILLET, civil engineer, citizen of France,residing at 66 Avenue de la Grande Arme, Paris, in the Republic ofFrance, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Friction-Olutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to allow of obtaining progressiveclutch action with a friction clutch suitable, for example, for use inconnection with the driving mechanism of motor-cars.

The invention substantially consists in distorting the surface of theleather which covers a clutch cone, in such a manner as to convert theconical leather surface into a surface with protuberances having roundedangles, this being effected by introducing under the leather, along acertain number of elements of the cone, rods of india-rubber partlylocated in grooves in the cone. When the cone is moved into contact withthe internal conical surface of-the fly wheel, the rounded corners ofthe protuberances, which touch the former, at first slip, and then theslip diminishes and the engagement proceeds progressively in proportionas the friction surface tends to resume its conical shape by thecrushing-of the india-rubber rods; when the two conical surfaces haveentered into contact at all their points the engagement is complete.

The annexed drawing shows by way of example a construction embodying theinvention.

Figure 1 is a side-view of the clutch-cone, partly in section, and Fig.2 a front view, with certain parts removed.

The clutch cone 0, has at its circumference a certain number of groovesb lying along elements of the cone-surface. These grooves aresemi-circular at their bottoms and serve for the reception of smallhollow rods of india-rubber c. The grooves are slightly wider than theyare deep, and the india-rubber rods protrude beyond the circumferentialsurface of the cone as shown in the drawing.

The rods are not placed in position until the leather g has been placedon the cone and smoothed, so that this operation is not interfered with.Then the rods are introduced by hand under the leather, lifting thelatter with a small lever near the groove.

At each end of the rods small plates p are fixed to the cone, to preventthe said rods from slipping out of their housings.

The leather is fixed to the cone in the ordinary way by means of screwsor rivets.

Instead of leaving the interiors of the hollow rods empty they can befilled up, after the adjustment, with a rod of metal or other suitablematerial, allowing of regulating the elasticity of the rods.

The progressiveness of the clutch-action is in no way modified when thedirection of rotation is changed, or when the driving member becomes thedriven member, or vice-versa.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

A friction clutch member comprising a clutch cone a, semicirculargrooves 12 provided on said cone and lying along elements of the conesurface, hollow india-rubber rods 0 located in said grooves b andslightly protruding beyond the circumferential surface of the cone, aleather envelop 9 extended upon the cone surface and upon the protrudingportions of the hollow india-rubber rods, and small plates p fixed tothe cone opposite said rods to prevent same from slipping out theirhousings, substantially as described and for the purpose set fort Intestimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twoWitnesses:

JULES OAILLET.

Witnesses LOUIS Mosn, H. C. Ooxn.

